A new middle school, unofficially referred to as ‘New North MS’ or ‘Coolidge MS’, will open on the campus of Coolidge HS in SY19 – 20. DCPS is asking the public to submit nominations to officially name the school that will serve the Brightwood, LaSalle-Backus, Takoma and Whittier school communities. This public process is driven by the DCPS school naming policy you can find online. DCPS will be looking for a name that lends prestige to an institution of learning, symbolizes a contribution to society and local community and reflects the DCPS mission and values.

Metro is reminding customers to plan for two upcoming summer capital improvement projects to keep Metro on its current path of improved safety and reliability. The work will impact customers who use the Red, Orange, Blue and Silver lines.

During the 10 commuting days of the Orange, Blue and Silver line work in particular, customers who use these lines are being encouraged to plan alternate routes now and use Metro only if absolutely necessary.

The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is soliciting grant applications from eligible applicants to operate and manage 2019 Clean Team program for Riggs Road/South Dakota Avenue, NE. The submission deadline is Friday, July 13, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. DSLBD will hold a pre-application meeting on Friday, June 22, 2018 at 2:00 PM at 441 4th Street NW, Washington DC 20001, DSLBD Training Room 805S. For more information, visit: dslbd.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dslbd/page_content/attachments/RFA_FY19%20Clean%20Teams.pdf Councilmember Todd was proud to have secured funding for another Ward 4 Clean Team in Riggs Park, and looks forward to seeing this investment cleaning up the South Dakota Avenue, NE corridor.

Mayor Bowser recently celebrated the start of renovations that will transform the Thaddeus Stevens Elementary School, a national historic landmark, into a DC Public Schools (DCPS) Early Childhood Education Center with PK3 and PK4 classes and a child care center for infants and toddlers ages 0 to 3 that will be managed by a community-based organization. The adjacent parcel (2100 L Street, NW), soon-to-be Stevens Place, will feature a new 190,000 square-foot commercial office building with underground parking. The Mayor was joined at the groundbreaking by Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Brian Kenner, DCPS Interim Chancellor Amanda Alexander, and President and CEO of Akridge Matt Klein.

Nike has announced that applications for the next round of funding through the Nike Community Impact Fund (NCIF) are now being accepted through July 31, 2018. With the goal of building stronger communities and giving kids positive experiences with sport, play and physical activity, the Community Store in the Ivy City neighborhood of Washington, D.C., will award a total of $50,000 via grants of $5,000 to $10,000 each to local organizations that are focused on getting kids active.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is hiring! CBP’s Baltimore Field Office is hosting a free employment resources and career fair for military veterans and other job seekers this Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Baltimore Custom House.

Attendees will be able to speak with CBP employees who fill a variety of professional careers, such as law enforcement officers, import and entry specialists, agriculture specialists, information and technology, and legal, scientific, clerical and administrative staff.

The HDR Foundation recently awarded Aspire! Afterschool Learning in Arlington, Virginia $71,200 as part of its 2017 large-grant cycle. The HDR Foundation gave seven grants to nonprofit organizations throughout the United States in 2017 totaling $327,247– the most it’s donated in one grant cycle to date.

“This has been a record-breaking year for us, both in terms of the number of grants given and the amount we’ve been able to donate,” HDR Foundation Executive Director Leslie Spethman said. “The Foundation is mostly funded by HDR employee donations, so we are proud to support organizations in which our employees are highly involved and support the communities where our employees live and work…”

The Bowser Administration kicked off the DC Summer Camp and Free Summer Meals programs. The DC Free Summer Meals program helps children in low-income areas get the nutrition they need to learn, play, and grow throughout the summer months when they are out of school.

“DPR is proud to offer top quality summer programming and be the largest sponsor of the USDA’s Free Summer Meals Program in the District, the number one ranked program in the country,” said Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Director Keith A. Anderson.

Mayor Bowser this week kicked off AlleyPalooza 7.0, a District-wide effort to repair or renovate alleys across all eight wards. During AlleyPalooza, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will improve eight alleys in each of the District’s eight wards over the next 12 weeks.

“Like roadways and sidewalks, alleys are a critical part of the District’s infrastructure and my Administration is committed to keeping them in top condition,” said Mayor Bowser. “By getting back to basics and building safer, stronger alleys, we’re building a safer, stronger DC.”

At Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in Ward 8, Mayor Bowser participated in the Safe Passage program, highlighting the District’s efforts to ensure students have the resources and support they need to travel to and from school safely. Prior to cutting the ribbon on the newly expanded Democracy Prep Congress Heights Public Charter School, Mayor Bowser also announced enhancements to the Kids Ride Free Program, a Bowser initiative which reduces barriers that prevent students from attending school every day.

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) within the Department of Commerce recently launched a search for innovative ideas to benefit minority-owned businesses, from projects that increase access to capital to resources that increase disaster preparedness and relief. MBDA’s Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is designed to solicit proposals that will positively impact minority-owned businesses and the communities they serve.

MBDA expects to award up to $11.65 million in grants to fund and implement innovative projects across the country.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the availability of $2.0 million in grant funding for tribal applicants to establish clean diesel projects. Under this grant competition, each applicant may request up to $800,000 in federal funding.

“This funding will promote clean diesel projects and enable tribes to improve air quality and public health,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “EPA will continue to target funds to tribal areas facing significant air quality issues.”

BGE recently filed a request with the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) to review natural gas delivery rates to ensure they reflect the cost of the major safety and reliability improvements being made. Under the proposal, BGE is seeking to incorporate $63.3 million invested in modernizing the natural gas system in gas delivery rates. As proposed, the average residential gas and electric customer’s total bill would increase by 3.5 percent or $5.77 per month. BGE is not requesting an adjustment to electric rates. BGE last filed for a regulatory rate review in 2015.

BGE, in support of EmPOWER Maryland, is providing 500,000 ENERGY STAR certified LED light bulbs to the Maryland Food Bank in 2018 for distribution to food pantry customers. This initiative is part of a three-year plan to donate 1.5 million LEDs to income-eligible customers across the BGE service area. Food pantry clients will receive the energy efficient bulbs throughout the year to help reduce their energy usage and costs – freeing up resources for life’s other necessities.

Mayor Muriel Bowser and DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) are proud to announce the #FitDC Father’s Day 5K will take place 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 16, 2018 at Kenilworth Park Track in Ward 7.

The Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity and the Commission on Fathers, Men and Boys (CFMB) join in bringing together families in a celebration of fathers and men’s health, as well as bring awareness to gun violence in the District.

Join Councilmember Todd, the Shepherd Park Citizens Association, Neighbors, Inc, and Tifereth Israel Congregation for the dedication of the Marvin Caplan Park Memorial on Saturday, June 16th at 2:00 PM. The park, located at Alaska Avenue,13th Street & Holly Street, NW, is dedicated to Marvin Caplan, 1920-2000. The ceremony’s feature speaker will be Wade Henderson, Executive Director Emeritus of the Leadership Conference for Civil Rights. Caplan, a Shepherd Park resident, was Executive Director of the Leadership Conference for Civil Rights during the 1960s and 70s and a major strategist for the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights of Act of 1965, Fair Housing Act of 1968, and Title IX’s prohibiting gender discrimination in education.

The 152nd Strawberry Festival will take place rain or shine on Saturday, June 16, 2018 from 4-8pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Rock Creek Cemetery (201 Allison Street, NW). The main entrance is on Webster St. & Rock Creek Rd NW.
There will be fun for the whole family! Moon bounce, crafts, face painting, rock climbing, pony rides, field games, tours of the historic cemetery, BBQ, music and more! Free event! BBQ, strawberry shortcakes and other items will be for sale.

Join us for a celebration of music, dance and the spoken word. More Than a Drum Percussion will perform at the Takoma Park Library. Performance features four artists: Writer/Poet Bernardine ‘Dine’ Watson, Percussionist Abasi Johnson, Instrumentalist/Vocalist Wallace Edwards and Actor/Vocalist Kathy English Holt. For more information, contact the Takoma Park Library at (202) 576-7252. This is a Summer Challenge 2018 event sponsored by the Takoma Park Friends of the Library.

By The People is coming up June 21-24! This new arts and dialogue festival is bringing large art installations, free pop-up performances, curated conversations, augmented reality, and family-friendly activities to five festival hubs in all four quadrants of the District. The inaugural festival is focused on the founding themes of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Register now for a four-day pass that gets you into all the free events at our festival hubs:

Mayor Bowser announced that the District is making it easier for Capitals fans to move around the city during Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final by offering free DC Circulator service on all routes on Thursday, June 7 beginning at 6:00 p.m. The free rides will continue after the game, through the close of service.

“The DC Circulator always rocks the red, now we’re calling on all residents to do the same,” said Mayor Bowser. “Let’s go, Caps!”

Last Friday, Councilmember Todd joined District and neighborhood leadership to cut the ribbon on the Kennedy Street Revitalization Project. This $10 million investment brought new sidewalks, lighting, tree boxes, crosswalks, landscaping, public art, litter receptacles, bike racks, and curb accessibility to Kennedy Street. Councilmember Todd was proud to work with Mayor Bowser on completing this critical project, which is already spurring new investment and growth along this critical commercial corridor.

Councilmember Todd recently celebrated the diversity of Ward 4 and the District at two events. Last week, he kicked off Caribbean Cuisine Month at Spark Caribbean-Inspired Smokehouse. The Councilmember was delighted to present a Ceremonial Resolution recognizing the occasion. He remarked that Ward 4 has the largest Caribbean-American population in the District, and has long been the historic home of DC’s Caribbean-American Community, so marking Caribbean Cuisine Month and Caribbean-American Heritage Month was especially important.

The Kennedy Street Festival is back! Our fifth annual community festival will be on June 9th from 11:00 to 3:00. With celebrating our 5 year anniversary, new and old businesses, buildings, and MORE on Kennedy Street, this year is sure to be our best yet. As always, the street will NOT be closed for this event, but we’ll have a whole host of vendors, entertainment and activities available for you to enjoy on sidewalks, in storefronts and in parking lots from 3rd Street to 8th Street! Learn more and RSVP at the facebook event: facebook.com/events/155765658432575/

As part of National Safety Month and the energy company’s ongoing efforts to promote safety around electrical equipment, Pepco reminds customers and local contractors to be aware of their surroundings when planning projects near electrical equipment.

Contacting an overhead or underground electric line or any other underground utility lines can cause serious injury, damage, and service interruptions. It is essential for anyone who is working near this equipment to take the necessary preparations before beginning their work.

Dr. Harry Marshall, Chief of General Surgery and Director of Surgical Critical Care at the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center has been selected by the National Medical Association, in conjunction with the Harlem Fine Arts Show, as an honoree for the Salute to African Americans in Medicine.

The award was created to recognize those with outstanding medical talent as well as those having a positive impact on the African American community. The award will be presented June 14, 2018, in Washington, D.C. as part of the Harlem Fine Arts Show’s opening night ceremony.

DC Public Library is excited to offer prizes to kids, teens and adults throughout the summer for reading just 20 minutes a day, began June 1st. Visit dclibrary.org/summerchallenge to learn more.

To celebrate the beginning of Summer Challenge, the Shepherd Park (Juanita E. Thornton) Library is offering special programs throughout the month of June. For a full list of summer programs at Shepherd Park visit dclibrary.org/thornton.

Giant Food recently announced a $2 million donation to the 1,564 public and private schools in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Delaware that participated in its 2017-2018 A+ School Rewards program. Through the program, purchases made by Giant customers provide funding to area schools. This year, 14 schools received more than $10,000 each. Since the launch of A+ School Rewards in 1989, Giant Food has donated more than $96 million to local schools.

Museumgoers can stay up late for an artful take on the longest day of the year at the Hirshhorn’s free ‘Solstice Saturday’ open house Saturday, June 23, part of a Smithsonian-wide night of performances, programs and parties. From 10 a.m. until dusk, visitors can make their first wish of the summer at the opening of Yoko Ono’s iconic “Wish Tree” and savor free samples of Dolcezza’s new gelato ‘Orange Sunshine.’ Then, they can burn the midnight oil with late-night access to the Hirshhorn’s galleries, as well as music, lounging and cocktails on its outdoor modernist Plaza.

The Greater Washington Urban League (GWUL) – a leading nonprofit community service organization guiding Washington, D.C. metropolitan area residents into self-sufficiency for 80 years – announced its continued participation in the upcoming 10th Annual DC Housing Expo and Home Show taking place at the Washington, D.C. Convention Center on Saturday, June 9, 10am – 3pm. Each year, the District of Columbia’s largest event highlighting affordable housing and community development issues presents numerous interactive activities, useful workshops, forums and resources for area residents.

Governor Larry Hogan and the Maryland Department of Commerce are pleased to welcome the IRONMAN race organization back to the state for three events in 2018. The races, which draw dedicated participants from within and outside the state, include the IRONMAN 70.3 Eagleman on June 10 in Cambridge; the IRONMAN Maryland on September 29 in Cambridge; and the Across the Bay 10k on November 4 along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

“Maryland is thrilled to once again welcome the IRONMAN races to Maryland,” said Governor Hogan. “Our beautiful Chesapeake Bay region is the ideal setting for these events, offering athletes breath-taking scenery, delicious food, and lasting memories. With the return of these events, our great state continues to solidify its solid reputation as a world-class destination for athletes to travel and explore.”

This morning, the Newseum adds the names of 18 journalists who died while reporting the news in 2017 to its Journalists Memorial. They represent all of the journalists who died last year, some murdered to silence their work, others covering wars or dangerous assignments.

The Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center’s Emergency Department has taken a giant leap in improving patient wait times and overall outcomes with the grand opening of its new five-bed Fast Track Area.

The new area includes an expanded waiting area, check-in desk, and five individual rooms which provides more patient privacy. It serves Veterans who present with non-life threatening conditions and minor emergencies. According to Chief, Emergency Department, Dr. Philip Seton, “Consider this as an Urgent Care Center that frees the rest of the Emergency Department to care for Veterans who present with serious symptoms such as heart attacks and strokes.”

TD Bank closed on a $9.54M construction loan, used to purchase bonds issued by the DC Housing Finance Agency which will partially finance the adaptive reuse of part of a former military building on the Walter Reed Army Base in Washington, D.C.

The project will include 77 units of “service-enriched” affordable housing for homeless Veterans. The loan is sponsored by HELP USA, Inc., a national non-profit organization that provides homes, jobs and services to people in need. HELP USA will provide social and supportive services to the residents, and the units will be furnished to allow for immediate occupancy for homeless individuals who may be coming from shelters or other transitional housing.

The Memorial Foundation, Inc., the organization responsible for building the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall, along with the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) will present an inspiring and powerful summer film series at The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. This summer will mark the sixth year of Films at the Stone, and both organizations look forward to celebrating through this free and public series which will include the movies Marshall, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Black Panther.

June 29 & 30: Evening Fireworks, July 4: Daytime Fireworks and Military Reenactments

George Washington’s Mount Vernon salutes our first commander-in-chief with two spectacular events! Enjoy an evening of family fun and fireworks choreographed to patriotic music on June 29-30. This special evening event, which includes musical performances and games, will take place 6 p.m. – 9:45 p.m. on June 29-30 only. Ticket cost is $30-$35 for adults and $20-$25 for youth. For more details, please visit www.mountvernon.org/fireworks.

One Journey has announced the program lineup for its June 2nd festival. The free, day-long festival celebrates refugee talents, stories, and contributions through food, music, art, and dance – provided by refugee and immigrant performers, chefs, and artists.

Environmental business is a $400 Billion a year industry, employing 2 million Americans. Maryland’s leaders in this sector will convene in Annapolis on Thursday, July 19, for the inaugural Environmental Business Leadership Conference (EBLC).

This one day program for public and private sector environmental services and products executives features nearly 40 speakers, including expert panelists and presenters. Participating in the event are many of Governor Larry Hogan’s Administration departments and agencies, including the Secretaries of the Maryland Departments of the Environment, General Services, and the Maryland Energy Administration.

The National WWII Museum in New Orleans has named local student Andre Davis of Anacostia High School as a 2018 Billy Michal Student Leadership Award recipient. The national honor is awarded annually to one student in every state who has maintained a strong record of volunteerism, demonstrates school and community activism, and helps implement creative solutions to recognized problems. Each honoree will be flown to New Orleans to participate in the Museum’s American Spirit Awards program taking place June 7 and 8.

Join Councilmember Todd, Deputy Mayor Brian Kenner, and DC veterans for the groundbreaking of HELP USA Veterans Housing, 77 affordable units for previously homeless vets on the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center campus. The event will take place on Friday, May 25th from 11:00 AM to 12:00 noon.
Please enter the Walter Reed campus at the gate at 6900 Georgia Ave NW at Butternut Street to be directed to the site. Learn more and register at: eventbrite.com/e/help-usa-veterans-housing-groundbreaking-on-walter-reed-tickets-46082708622

A bipartisan group in the U.S. House of Representatives is close to forcing a series of immigration votes to override the will of the top two Republicans in Congress.

The movement aims to address multiple immigration issues, including the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that President Donald Trump is ending. To spur action, the bipartisan group is circulating a discharge petition that needs 218 signatures to work around GOP leadership and hold a series of votes on immigration matters.

Join Councilmember Todd, Little Free Library, the Community Alliance for Upper Fourteenth Street (CAUFS), the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), and members of the community to unveil a new Avengers: Infinity War-themed “Little Library” at Upshur Park. The event will take place on Saturday, May 26th at 11:00 AM at the Upshur Recreation Center (4300 Arkansas Ave, NW). The project is donated by Disney and the Little Free Library. The event will feature a reading by children’s book author Jesse Holland. To learn more, read the Petworth News article on the event: petworthnews.org/blog/avengers-little-free-library

Anthony Hall is giving back to young trade union apprentices after graduating from the Building Futures program four years ago. “There are only two problems right here: time and being able to listen, that’s it!” he advised a new crop of pre-apprentices last Wednesday. Hall (right), who will become a cement finisher journeyman in a month, worked various jobs before CSA Client Services Coordinator Sylvia Casaro Dietert informed him of an apprentice opportunity with the masons’ union. “20 minutes later, there he was!” recalled Casaro. “Anthony is ready to give back and share with those coming behind him the key to his success.

Green Giant has partnered with Smith Design to launch three limited edition cans that feature the artwork of patients of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Smith Design donated design, production and project management services to create these special cans of sweet peas, whole kernel sweet corn and cut green beans with colorful labels that integrate the artwork of young St. Jude patients. Smith Design developed visual reference for the patients and was an integral part of the “art party” that Green Giant held at St. Jude in Memphis, Tennessee.

/PRNewswire/ — Black Enterprise has released its latest exclusive list of the nation’s most powerful diversity executives in the March/April issue of Black Enterprise magazine now on digital newsstands. These executives recognize the value of the link between diversity and engagement, which is driven by corporate leadership at the highest level.

Today, corporate America continues to wrestle with an issue that’s foundational to both its culture and future. In the boardrooms and executive suites of those companies that are serious about diversifying their workforce, management teams, and corporate directorships, they are vigorously and honestly debating an array of concerns now at the forefront of the corporate agenda.

Mount Vernon recently planted an industrial cultivar of hemp on the four-acre Pioneer Farm site to expand its interpretation of George Washington’s role as an enterprising farmer. Under the 2015 Industrial Hemp Law enacted by the Virginia General Assembly and working with the Dr. Michael Timko with the industrial hemp research program of the University of Virginia, Dean Norton, planted industrial hemp seeds across a 1,000-square- foot area. As the first historic home of the founding fathers to plant hemp, Mount Vernon will use the plant as an interpretative tool to help better tell the story of Washington’s role as a farmer. Once harvested, Mount Vernon will use the hemp to provide fiber-making demonstrations in late summer.

Banneker-Douglass Museum recently joined with the Anne Arundel County Trust for Preservation; Four Rivers: The Heritage of Annapolis, London Town, and South County; Lost Town Project; Anne Arundel County Office of Planning and Zoning; and St. John’s College to host Keeping the Legacy Alive, a lecture presented by Kenneth Morris. Kenneth Morris, a descendant of noted civil rights leaders Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington, discussed how Frederick Douglass’ legacy has inspired his life and contributed to his work as a social activist. The event comes in celebration of the Year of Frederick Douglass, which commemorates the bicentennial anniversary of the birth of the renowned abolitionist and Maryland native.

The Multicultural Media Correspondents Association (MMCA) announced that Cathy Hughes, Soledad O’Brien, Herman Cain, and Beatriz Acevedo will be among the honorees for the 3rd Annual Multicultural Media Correspondents Dinner (MMCDTM) #MMCD, which will again be held at the National Press Club on May 24, 2018.

“We are currently at a time when understanding and reporting on the myriad of issues around race and diversity and multi-culturalism is more important than ever.”

Governor Ralph Northam recently announced that TemperPack, a Richmond-headquartered manufacturer of sustainable thermal insulation for the shipment of perishable goods, will invest $10.4 million to establish a manufacturing operation in Henrico County. The facility will be the company’s second in Virginia. The project will create 141 new jobs.

“TemperPack is a wonderful Virginia success story, and I am thrilled to see this innovative company growing and expanding into Henrico County,” said Governor Northam. “

(BlackNews.com) — MILDOVE International will hold the fourth (4th) Little Malaika Boys & Girls Leadership and Multicultural Competition. The event will take place on Saturday May 26th at 2pm at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theater in Rockville, Maryland.

Little Malaika International is a program that encourages development of leadership qualities, community service, self-confidence and positive competitiveness in minority Boys & Girls age 7 to 12. The competition will be a culmination of weeks of training and include a Q&A session, cultural showcase as well as talent and public speaking contest.

(BlackNews.com) — According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 12 million U.S. children are obese. This accounts for nearly one in six school- aged children. From music to video games, living in the digital age comes with its pros and cons. One former hip-hop producer and industry veteran seeks to use fitness conscious music to get kids active.

Made for children ages four to 11, Carl Gayden Lewis, veteran music producer, has created Fitness Fun to inspire, motivate, entertain, and inform kids through music and exercise. The songs are about the importance of daily physical activity, good nutrition, bullying and more.

The National Air and Space Museum will launch the “She Can” two-week STEM summer camp this July and August at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. The camp is designed for students with an interest in aviation and seeks to empower young women to succeed in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) disciplines. Open to sixth- through eighth-grade girls, the museum will offer the free aviation-focused experience to low-income students in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. The museum will accept applications until June 18 for the camp’s 60 total slots.

Governor Larry Hogan recently announced that the administration will provide a three percent increase to the Maryland Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) provider rates. The increase will benefit nursing home and home and community-based providers who deliver services to individuals enrolled in Maryland Medicaid.

“This rate increase ensures continued access to care and services for many of our most vulnerable Marylanders who need specific care,” said Governor Hogan. “Our administration greatly values the hard work these care providers do each and every day, and we are fully committed to supporting them as comprehensively as possible.”

The Governor’s Office for Children recently announced that Maryland has been selected for a second time by the National Governors Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices to serve as the model state for a learning lab. This second cohort of the learning lab “Fostering Cross-Sector Collaboration to Address the Health and Success of Children and Families” is an opportunity for three states to learn from a model state and other national, state, and local experts, to develop a unified vision for improving policies related to child health and success.

Deli Brands of America (DBA) has opened a 22,000 square foot slicing and logistics facility at a new location in Baltimore County. Deli Brands of America, the processing subsidiary of Saval Foods Corporation, will utilize the new facility to support its current operation that produces deli meats, and family recipe entrees.

“We are excited to continue the growth of our company which my grandfather started in 1932 ,” said Jeff Saval, President of Deli Brands of America.

The American Red Cross is counting on volunteer donors to give blood and help ensure patient needs can be met this summer.

Around Memorial Day, the Red Cross sees a steep decline in blood donations. Busy summer schedules, vacations and school breaks also cause a drop in donations. Accidents and medical emergencies don’t take a summer break – patients need blood every minute, every day.

It’s National Women’s Health Week. Do you or the women in your life prioritize their health, or put it on the back burner? Being proactive about your health can help prevent disease and illness. It may also help you catch medical problems before they become serious. TRICARE covers preventive health care for women, including immunizations and screenings.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the leading causes of death of females in 2015 include heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease and stroke. Early detection can increase your chances of surviving treatable illnesses. Medical professionals can detect many “silent symptoms” like high blood pressure and high LDL cholesterol.

(ABC)–Once Kevin Gausman was out of the game, the Chicago White Sox put together another winning rally.

Yolmer Sanchez capped Chicago’s three-run eighth with a tiebreaking RBI single, lifting the White Sox to a 3-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday night.

Welington Castillo also had an RBI single and Yoan Moncada added a sacrifice fly as last-place Chicago won for the fourth time in six games. Bruce Rondon (2-2) pitched a scoreless eighth and Nate Jones got three outs for his fourth save.

(ABC)–Center fielder Michael Taylor hasn’t had many good days this season. He hopes Tuesday night’s performance is a sign of things to come.

Taylor’s one-out double in the ninth scored 19-year-old Juan Soto with the game-winning run in Washington’s 2-1 victory over the San Diego Padres. He also threw out a runner at the plate for the final out in the sixth inning with the score 1-1.

Join Mayor Muriel Bowser, Deputy Mayor Brian Kenner, and Councilmember Brandon Todd for the groundbreaking of HELP USA Veterans Housing, 77 affordable units for previously homeless vets on the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center campus. The event will take place on Friday, May 25th from 11:00 AM to 12:00 noon.

Metro is inviting the public to provide feedback on alternatives to increase service on the Red Line between Grosvenor-Strathmore and Shady Grove stations. During weekday rush hours, Red Line trains operate every 8 minutes between Shady Grove and Glenmont, with additional trains between Grosvenor-Strathmore and Silver Spring providing service every four minutes between these stations.

Mayor Muriel Bowser today awarded two available child care spaces to CommuniKids and Kiddie University, one space at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) and the other at the Deanwood Recreation Center. CommuniKids is an award-winning, multi-language immersion school that will provide additional, free pre-K3 and pre-K4 seats to District residents at the University of the District of Columbia, and Kiddie University will provide a Spanish-immersion program…

Judge Mary Terrell and The High Tea Society is excited to announce the Fifth Annual Civili-Tea City-wide Creative Expression Contest. This year’s theme is “The Face of Your Neighborhood: Envisioning A Safe Community.” Students in the District of Columbia in grades 2-12 may create and submit artwork that illustrates how civility positively impacts their community as well as ways they would like to see their communities improved.

What do Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Go-Go music giants like EU and Rare Essence, rappers Public Enemy and the late activist and comedian Dick Gregory have in common? They have all appeared at one of the historic Malcolm X Celebrations and events attended by up to 50,000 people held in Southeast Washington, DC from 1972 to 1995 annually in Washington, DC. This May 14-20, 2018, Malcolm X, el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, is being commemorated at a series of events in Washington, DC, addressing the most pressing issues facing urban communities today.

Governor Larry Hogan was joined by Senate President Thomas V. “Mike” Miller and Speaker of the House Michael Busch to sign 229 bills into law at a signing ceremony at the Maryland State House in Annapolis.

The governor and presiding officers signed House Bill 365/Senate Bill 184, which will save Marylanders from nearly $3 billion over the next five years in increased state taxes as a result of the federal tax overhaul by adjusting state law on personal income tax exemptions.

Governor Larry Hogan, together with the Maryland Department of Health and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), recently announced the federal approval of Maryland’s Total Cost of Care All-Payer Model, known as the “Maryland Model,” contract. This innovative approach to health care provider payment is unique to Maryland and made possible via a contract between CMS and the state.

DC residents who are behind on their mortgage, being sued by their lender, behind on their property taxes or confronting a potential mortgage scam may call the foreclosure prevention hotline set up by Housing Counseling Services, Inc. and funded by the DC Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking. Depending on circumstances, DC residents may receive free housing counseling from a HUD approved, non-profit housing counseling agency and free legal services.

Governor Larry Hogan recently announced that his Fiscal Year 2019 budget provides $2 million in new funding for Biomedical Sciences and Engineering Programs at the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, Md. This funding is part of an ongoing effort by the Hogan administration to grow the state’s skilled workforce in science, engineering, and cybersecurity.

The Story of Our Schools, a Washington, D.C. nonprofit dedicated to empowering young people to tell the powerful stories of their school community, in partnership with the Marie Reed Elementary School are unveiling an exhibit that was the result of two years of hard work by Marie Reed students and staff.

Ripken Baseball and Giant Food, the leading greater Washington D.C.regional grocery chain, have partnered for the seventh consecutive year to host a series of free outdoor health & fitness clinics for children and their families throughout Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. The “Get Out and Play” clinics will combine baseball instruction with nutritional programming to create fun and informative events. The free clinics begin Wednesday, May 30 and run through Wednesday, June 20.

Nissan and BMW are offering Pepco customers special incentives that can save thousands of dollars on the cost of certain all-electric vehicle (EV) models. In addition to the manufacturer incentives, customers could also qualify for up to $7,500 in federal tax credits and up to $3,000 in Maryland excise tax credits. In the District of Columbia, qualified alternative fuel vehicles are exempt from the excise tax imposed on an original certificate of title.

Mayor Muriel Bowser and the DC Department of Human Services (DHS) recently released the results of the 2018 Point-in-Time (PIT) count, the annual census and survey of persons and families experiencing homelessness in the District. This year’s count was conducted on January 24, 2018 and captures the number persons either staying in the shelter system or sleeping on the street. The report, which will be released tomorrow by the Council of Governments, shows that the total number of persons experiencing homelessness in the District decreased by 7.6 percent from 2017 and 17.3 percent from 2016.

Uptown Main Street is offering $5K to businesses located along Upper 14th Street from Spring Street NW to Longfellow Street NW or on Kennedy Street NW from 14th Street NW to N. Capitol Street NW to spruce up their facades, acquire permanent equipment or become ADA accessible. Businesses located the corridor can also receive technical assistance grants to support their operations. Services such as updated business plans, marketing plans, website build-outs, legal support or accounting help are available to eligible businesses at no cost.

On Monday, May 7, 2018 – The Home Depot’s Retool Your School Campus Improvement Grant Program held its 2018 Winners’ Ceremony to announce this year’s grant recipients. Nine HBCUs were awarded a total of $360,000n grants to make sustainable campus improvements across their campuses. To date, the program has awarded more than $2.1 million dollars in grants to HBCUs.

The nine winning schools were selected by a combination of cumulative online voting scores andgrant proposals that were submitted by the schools and judged by a panel of distinguished judges, includingHoward University alumnus, and film and television star Laz Alonso, Dr. Ivory Toldson, President and CEO, QEM (Quality Education for Minorities) Network; Gregory Moore, Esq.,Commissioner, Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC); Michael Tabb, Managing Partner, Red Rock Global and Melissa Brown, Senior Manager, Marketing, The Home Depot.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (R) has signed legislation providing free community college to thousands of low and middle-income students in the Old Line State. The new law will provide tuition-free education to qualified full-time students who enroll in community college within two years of earning a high school diploma or a GED, beginning in fall 2019. It also creates grants for adults who are close to finishing their community college or university degrees.

Governor Larry Hogan recently signed legislation proposed by the administration to support foster youth throughout Maryland at a signing ceremony at the State House in Annapolis.

“Our administration strives to champion legislation and best practices that protect our children and support our families, ensuring that Maryland is a place where every child has the opportunity to thrive,” said Governor Hogan. “The legislation we enacted today will help ease the burden foster youth face as they transition into adulthood and provides a solid support system that will assist these youth with entering the workforce or pursuing a college education.”

On Friday, May 11th at 11:30 a.m., the Friends of the National World War II Memorial will host a brief ceremony and wreath presentation at the World War II Memorial’s Pacific Arch to mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Attu, the only land battle of World War II fought on incorporated territory of the United States.

The Battle of Attu was fought between the forces of the United States, aided by Canadian reconnaissance and fighter-bomber support, and the Empire of Japan on Attu Island off the coast of the Territory of Alaska as part of the Aleutian Islands Campaign.

In 2017, Pepco purchased $171 million in goods and services from diversity-certified suppliers which is 28 percent of the company’s total yearly purchases. This is an increase of $59 million over the amount spent in 2016.

For Pepco and its parent company Exelon, diversity and inclusion is one of the core foundational values both in the workplace and in outreach to the people it serves. Exelon has increased spending with women- and minority-owned businesses by more than 200 percent since 2011, reaching $2 billion in 2017.

BGE purchased $283 million in goods and services from diversity-certified suppliers in 2017, which equates to 29 percent of total purchases. This is an increase of $26 million over the amount spent in 2016.

“Engaging with diverse suppliers and contractors enhances our ability to serve our customers and strengthens our community. The growth in our spending with these companies shows our commitment to both,” said Calvin G. Butler Jr., chief executive officer for BGE. “As we’ve expanded our network of suppliers, we have also recorded our best performance in reliability, safety, financials and customer satisfaction. This shows it’s an investment worth making.”

Visual artist Kiril Jeliazkov and DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) unveiled “The Orange Step,” a one of a kind open air art installation consisting of 128 individual canvases, each 22 feet high and 11 feet wide at DPR’s Rose Park in Georgetown. The exhibit will run through June 7.

“The majority of our recreation centers have art throughout each facility,” said DPR Director Keith A. Anderson. “The opportunity to add such vibrant splashes of color to our green space was appealing and we hope people far and wide will come to enjoy this huge art display.”

Mayor Muriel Bowser and DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) are proud to announce the #FitDC Mother’s Day 5K fun run/walk will take place 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 12, 2018 at Fletcher’s Cove in Georgetown.

The event, led by weekly run group ParkRun, celebrates mothers of all ages as well as raises the importance of mothers committing to more healthy and active lifestyles by way of Mayor Bowser’s FitDC initiative. This free family-friendly run/walk will encourage individuals to connect with loved ones and new people, while receiving a workout, a free t-shirt and more.

The Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention today announced the launch of a new Healthy Teen Dating: A Guide for Educators and Youth Service Providers. The first of its kind for Maryland, this guide provides information on teen dating violence prevention programs to address the needs of youth who are at risk for dating violence. Each year, nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner. In 2014, more than 10 percent of Maryland high school students reported experiencing physical and/or sexual dating violence.

His Eminence Donald Cardinal Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, today was joined by Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett, other community leaders, and Victory Housing officials for the dedication of Victory Crossing, a new mixed-income community for seniors. Victory Housing, the Archdiocese of Washington’s nonprofit affordable housing development arm, developed the 105-unit community which was made possible in partnership with the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs, Freddie Mac, Capital One, N.A., Hudson Housing Capital, and the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County.

Governor Northam recently announced that Virginia received another $9.76 million in federal grant funding to help fight the opioid epidemic. This is the second consecutive year that the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) received a State Targeted Response Grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The continued funding will help Virginia’s Community Services Boards (CSBs) to provide many of the services and supports needed to fight the opioid crisis, including prevention, treatment, and recovery services for Virginians struggling with addiction across the Commonwealth.

Children in Washington, DC and surrounding areas will be able to receive dental treatments at no cost on Sunday, May 20, during Sharing Smiles Day, an annual day of free dental care hosted by children’s dental provider Kool Smiles.

“At Kool Smiles, we believe every child should have a dentist,” said Dr. Ashley Nichols, Managing Dental Director for Kool Smiles. “While we’re proud to accept a wide range of insurance plans, including Medicaid and TRICARE, we also know there are children in our community who do not have dental insurance and whose parents can’t afford to pay out of pocket for needed dental treatments. Sharing Smiles Day is an opportunity for our dentists and staff to give back to children and families in our community and bring smiles to those in need.”

Mayor Muriel Bowser signed a mayoral order to implement the Clean Cars Act of 2008, furthering the District’s leadership in the global fight against climate change. The announcement comes as the Trump Administration prepares draft regulations to roll back Obama-era vehicle emissions and fuel economy standards for a cleaner, more sustainable environment for future generations.

“When it comes to fighting climate change, we cannot ignore the facts and we cannot wait another day,” said Mayor Bowser.

Celebrate Bike To Work Day on Friday, May 18th with Councilmember Todd and neighbors on a ride from Ward 4 down to the Wilson Building. Meet at 7:30 AM at the Bikeshare station at the intersection of Upshur St & 9th St, NW. The ride will be approximately 4 miles, concluding at City Hall (1350 Pennsylvania Ave, NW). After the ride, you’re invited to a special ‘Pit Stop’ event at Freedom Plaza across from the John A. Wilson Building. Make sure to wear your helmet and check that your bike is in working condition! Learn more and register for a free T-shirt at: org.salsalabs.com/o/451/p/salsa/event/common/public/?event_KEY=100358.

On Tuesday May 1, Councilmember Todd stood united with the entire Council of the District of Columbia in condemning hate speech and divisiveness in our discourse. The impromptu press conference comes in response to a series of extremely troubling incidents of anti-Semitism, including last Thursday’s “unity rally,” where disturbing anti-Semitic remarks were made on the steps of the John A. Wilson Building. Councilmember Todd will continue to stand up to those who attempt to divide us and engender hatred toward our fellow citizens, and reiterate that hatred in any form has no home in Ward 4 or the District of Columbia. He also looks forward to joining his colleagues and Council staff on a guided tour of the Holocaust Museum this summer. To read his full message upholding DC values of tolerance and inclusion, visit brandontoddward4.com/newsletter/ward-4-weekly-42518/.

The Bowser Administration recentlyy released a Request for Applications (RFA) for an investment partner to develop and manage the Inclusive Innovation Fund, a new program that aims to invest in early stage District businesses led by underrepresented entrepreneurs, including people of color, women, and LGBTQ people and individuals with disabilities. The District will make available seed funding of up to $1.5 million in Fiscal Year 2018 to help an investment professional partner build out a program.

Joshua Singer from the DC Food Recovery Working Group and the DC Department of Parks and Recreation will make a presentation at the Takoma Park (DC) Neighborhood Library, 416 Cedar St. NW, on food recovery policies, organizations and resources in the D.C. area. Food recovery involves strategies that reduce food waste, such as proper food storage, donating food, composting and gleaning.
Free and open to all! Details here: https://www.dclibrary.org/node/60207.

We are thrilled to share that the free outdoor fitness classes, Fitness in The Parks, is back Tuesday, May 1! Fitness in The Parks will be hosted every Tuesday now through August 28 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Please come and join the group in the great outdoors (classes are weather dependent and will be canceled if there are heavy rains or thunderstorms). Trainers, work-out and water are provided on site. Bring your own mat if you wish. Follow along on Twitter @TheParksDC or email directly at TheParksatWalterReed@gmail.com for more information. Stay tuned for more exciting events planned throughout the year!

(BlackNews.com) — The American Heart Association is launching the EmPOWERED To Serve Urban Health Accelerator(TM), a grant-based initiative to identify innovative, clearly-defined urban business solutions to drive community change to improve health and well-being. The goal of this initiative is to increase healthy living behaviors, enhance the chain of survival and cultivate community transformation. By working in communities to address key factors that impact health and wellbeing – economic stability, education, societal influences, neighborhoods and healthcare – the Accelerator is an opportunity to receive funding to activate critical projects that will positively impact urban community health.

(BlackNews.com) — FraserNet, Inc., has announced that its 2018 PowerNetworking Conference (PNC) will be held July 5-7, at the Gaylord Hotel and Conference Center, on the National Harbor in Prince George’s County, Maryland. This year’s conference top global experts will focus their training on financial literacy, business development and wealth building through personal “subject matter” excellence, effective networking and collaboration.

“Financial illiteracy is an American problem according to the Wall Street Journal, but it is 10x greater in Black America. All the studies, surveys and statistics predict if nothing changes within our community we will be financially destitute and enslaved by 2053. A November 2017 front-page headline in the Boston Globe said, “Black Bostonians median net worth really was $8.” Thus, we must effectively and aggressively address financial illiteracy and building million-dollar businesses in Black America.

TheDream.US, the nation’s largest college access and success program for undocumented immigrant youth, recently announced that it has awarded more than 1,200 new scholarships for DREAMers to attend partner colleges and universities during the 2018-19 academic year. TheDream.US believes that all young people, regardless of where they were born, should have the opportunity to fulfill their potential, gain an education, and fully participate in the country that they call home. The new scholarships include awards to DREAMers in 25 states to attend partner colleges in 15 states and Washington, DC.

WUSA9 has unveiled a new, state-of-the-art studio, changing the game for local news coverage in the District of Columbia, Virginia and Maryland. The new studio is the latest tangible example of the station’s efforts to embrace innovation and re-imagine local journalism in the digital age.

The new studio, which was unveiled last week, offers flexible, nontraditional space and replaces the traditional, “two-anchors-at-a-desk” format familiar to local viewers. Emerging technologies like a seamless LED video wall and augmented reality aid in the visual delivery of news, weather and sports. Talent will employ touch screens and a social media megaphone to engage audiences and provide information that is both relevant and entertaining. The new studio is complemented by an updated on-air, online and mobile graphics package. WUSA9 has also partnered with Snap to embed public Snapchat stories into its reporting.

Mayor Muriel Bowser, DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and DC Department of General Services (DGS) announced that a brand new multi-million dollar facility in honor of Marvin Gaye will open with a block party style festival with members of Marvin’s family, live music, food trucks, giveaways and more for DPR’s first Marvin Gaye Day on Saturday, May 5, at 2 p.m. at the Marvin Gaye Recreation Center.

Highlights of the event include the ribbon cutting for Mayor Bowser and members of Marvin Gaye’s family as the center opens its doors for the first time. Marvin’s original group, The Marquees will perform a tribute, while radio and TV legend Donnie Simpson is set to share musings of Marvin with the crowd. Closing out the event will be a more current Marvin-inspired performance by Black Alley.

The DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) announced that 28 affordable housing units—most of which will be family-sized—will be coming to Wards 1 and 5 as the result of the disposition of District-owned properties.

“While some may contend that you cannot create affordable housing in popular neighborhoods in the District, we are proving in fact it is possible,” said DHCD Director Polly Donaldson. “We are making this happen by using every tool in our toolbox, such as the vacant property in our inventory, to provide affordable housing. We are particularly pleased that through these projects, more families, singles and seniors can grow roots in District neighborhoods where housing prices have risen dramatically in recent years and can have easy access to transportation, schools, retail and other amenities.”

Mayor Bowser and the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced registration is open for the 35th Annual DC Senior Games (DCSG) presented by Aetna. The games will take place Monday, April 30 – Monday, May 14, 2018 at various locations throughout the District of Columbia. A senior’s version of the Olympics complete with a grandiose opening ceremony, DCSG is a showcase for DC residents age 50 and older to compete and medal in a variety of sports competitions.

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 6.4 million Americans abused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows that a majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths.

Councilmember Todd joined Mayor Muriel Bowser, the Director of the Department of Small and Local Business Development, community leaders, and neighbors to officially designate the new Uptown Main Street. The Councilmember was delighted to stand with Jordan Haferbrier, the new Executive Director of the Uptown Main Street, Jack Campbell, Board Chair, the Community Alliance for Upper Fourteenth Street (CAUFS), and the Kennedy Street Development Corporation (KSDC) to help usher in a new era of economic development and business investment in the burgeoning Kennedy St. and Upper 14th St. corridors.